Study: Blood Test Detected 90% of Aggressive Prostate Cancers
Is this a life-saving breakthrough being held back or a cautious approach protecting men from unnecessary harm?
Above: Prostate cancer testing at Tenon Hospital in France in 2009. Image credit: BSIP/UIG/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Early detection saves lives. New tools like Stockholm3 and Galleri are transforming screening, detecting 90% of dangerous cancers versus PSA's 74%. The future of cancer care is a single vial of blood that catches the disease early enough to actually cure it.
Narrative B
This is a positive development, but some reasonable caution is warranted. Overscreening for prostate cancer has long been an issue for men, especially depending on age group. This is a complex subject and even promising new advances should be weighed against pros and cons for each patient.